Sprinkling system



Nov. 9 192 6.

E. P. LANG SPRINKLING SYSTEM Filed July '7,

1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 *P..... ..-.1. Nov. 9, "1925s.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT orrice.

* i EVERETT"; LANG, or Los ANGELES, cnmromrrn.

srnmzmive SYSTEM.

Application filed July 7, 1925. Serial No. 42,003.

by the size and'capacity of the water-mainv feeding the system. Too many heads'in a v given group, or operation of too'man'y heads at one time,'will cause too great a pressure diminution. For each group of sprinklers, there is provided an individual supply-pipe 9 leading from the main. For each group -sup-' ply pipe, there is usuallyv a manual shut-oil valve sothatone group only, at a time may be in operation. A

to provide an automatic and time-controlled apparatus for periodically putting successive groups of sprinkler heads into operation, and for shutting off each successive group after a given lapse of time.

vide for manually controlling such a system, particularly without the need of a'mul tiplicity of hand valves, and incidently it is another object of the invention to provide manual means for controlling a system, of the above described type, from a single point with valvular control means.

Another object is the provision of an improved fluid distributor capable of serving a plurality of pipes.

Still other objects include simplicity of construction, self-adjusting packing means to keep all parts filled without need for frequent adjustments, together with other neccessary means to prevent waste or inefiicient distribution of water.

My invention contemplates the use of a clock-controlled distributor and it isanother object of the invention to provide for using water pressure to open and close control valves, so that the load on the distributor is lessened, rendering the distributor 'more compact and less costly.

'Still other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

It is the principal object of the invention Another object of the invention is to proanother worm 19, drivin I have illustrated my invention by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system and control apparatus conforming with my invention. L

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical section on a larger scale, of a part of the apparatus, which part ishereinafter known as the distributor. a

Fig. 3 is a section on a line 3+3 of Fig. 2,

looking in the direction indicated by the ar- I'OWS.

Fig. 4-is a view in elevation of a part hereinafter known as the distributing disc.

Fig. 5 is a face elevation of a part herein- I after knownas the fluid directing disc.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a modified form of distributor.

Fig. 7 is a view in section thereof seen on a line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is'a longitudinal mid-section of a hydraulic manually-control1ed prime mover for the distributor shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 9 is a view in elevation of a part of the prime mover, which part is hereinafter known as the control-valve disc.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a modified arrangement for rendering the operation of the sprinkling system positive andaccurate.

In carrying out my inventiop in the embodiment in Figs. 1 to '5 inclusive, I employ a prime mover 10, in the form of an electric motor, which is controlled by a time clock 11. The time clock and motor are connected by .wires 12 to a source of electric current 13. Clock-controlled motorinstallations are well understood and need no description herein, the object in this installation being to cause the motor to be energized at given times each day for a predetermined interval of time. The motor is provided with suitable reduc-' tion gearing which in the present case em- I bodies a worm 15, a worm wheel 16 driven ice].-

the worm wheel 16 and driving a secend worm wheel 18. Also there is provided still wheel 20. Thus, great re uctionis efi'ected' between the motor and a distributing shaft 21. The distributorshaft -carriesa 111g 22 engaged by a in 23,- carried by the last named worm w eel. shaft is driven in one direction by the worm a third worm Thus,f the distributor. 11o

- wheel, but the said shaft may be advanced shaft is revoluble.

A leather washer 31 ing along shaft 26.

The distributor casing, the reduction prevents water leakgearing, and the motor are all disposed in a box 32 having a front wall 33 removable for inspection.v The. sleeve passes outward through the wall 33 of the box so that the hand wheel 24 is operable exteriorly thereof.

The wall or plate 29, is provided with. a plurality of equally spaced outlet ports 34, arranged in a circular series, each port registering with a pipe 34, there being one pipe for each separate port 34. The plate also includes a single drain port 35 spaced inwardly of the said circular series, and is disposed in the path of an annular groove 36. which is' provided on one face of the plate. Secured contiguously to the plate, on the inside of the distributor casing there is provided the fluid-directing disc 37, said disc is also provided with a groove 38, aligned with groove-"'36 to provide a complete circular course, said disc is also provided with a port 39 disposed in the path of the groove 38. By means of the grooves 36 and 38, the port 35 and the port 39 are always incommunication with each other.

Disc 37 is preferably made of leather or other pliant material adapted to remain in fluid-tight contiguity with the metal plate 29. Said disc includes a depending tongue 41, provided with an elongated aperture 42. The distributor disc 43 shown in Fig. '4 carries the disc 37 and is provided with two vertically spaced apertures 44 and 45 respectively- Said apertures are connected to each other by a fluid passage 46. The disc is carried by-the shaft 21, to rotate therewith, and consequently turning movement of the shaft moves both discs together.

The discs are assembled in the distributor casing so that the apertures 44 and 45,'and

apertures 42mm 39 coact with one another to hung a port 34 into communication with a the drain outlet 35. The discs are held toward the wall 29 by means of a spring 47,

- and the distributor disc is cut away at various points as at 48. diameter than disc 43 so that water may f nd its way to all of the ports 34 which are not covered by the tongue of disc 37.

Disc 37 is of smaller My improved apparatus includes a plurality of valves 49, one for each group of sprinkler heads. The valve is shown particularly in Fig. 2, and. includes a differential piston 50, in a difierential cylinder 49*.

.An upturned larger cup 51 and an inverted smaller cup 51 aiding to make the piston fluid-tight in the cylinder. The piston is provided with a valvedisc 52 arranged to seat on the upper end of a standing tube 53,

which is spaced internally ot the smaller part of the differential cylinder, an annular cation with the-drain outlet 35,.by way of apertures 42, 45, 44 and 39 respectively.

The pressure of fluid in the main and in line 56 raises the valve disc 52 and the pis- -ton until the piston is stopped by lugs 60.

Any water which may have existed in space 50 is displaced through pipe 34 and the drain outlet.

..With the valve" disc "raised'from the seat, water flows from the main through pipe 57 to the group of sprinkler heads supplied by that pipe. While said group is being supplied, pressure is maintained interiorly of the distributor casing by a by-pass line 61,

fitted with'a non-return valve 62. All the remaining ports 34, which are uncovered are open to the Water in the casing so that all of the pistons in valves 49 are held down firmly the hydraulic pressure conveyed through pipes 34*. It will be apparent now that only. one valve is open at a time, the water pressure itself acting to keep all other valves closed. As the aperture 42 moves out of alignment with a port, then that port conveys fluid to the corresponding pipe 34 and the corresponding piston is acted on to seat the valve and shut off the water supply. As the discs continue to rotate the next port becomes aligned with aperture 42, and consequently the corresponding chamber 50 is opened to the atmosphere (see Fig. 2).al-

lowing the corresponding valve disc to be unseated by the pressure. Certain groups of sprinklers may be omitted, or the device may be started at any given point by proper turning or setting of the discs by the hand wheel 24.

In theform of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, the pipes 34 are connected to a distributor casing 69 which embodies a circumferentialiwall 70, Said wall is provided with thefports.34,.. the pipes extending radially voutward. Withinj the rasing, there is provided a tubular ra'dlally disposed-member 71 having a movable end wall 72-adapted to ride onthe inner circumference of the wall 70. -A spring 73,

within the tubular member71 keeps the end- The shaft 75 is provided with a fluid course.

78 communicating'with the interior of the tubular member 71. Said shaft projects from the casing into a bearing sleeve 79,

which is anintegral part of the casing. The

shaft is provided with a. continuation 80 extending to pointsfe'xteriorly of the sleeve and carrying 'a' pinion 81. Leather cups 82, 83 and 84 together with rings 85, one in each cup, serve jointly aspackers and bearings for the shaft and its continuation. An aperture 86 in the shaft establishes fluid communication with the latter fluid-tight space" 87, provided by and enclosed in the sleeve.

.From said space, a pressure pipe 88 leads to the main. 1

It will be apparent now that with the parts in the position shown in-Fig. 6, pressure will exist in that one of the pipes. 34 which is aligned with the aperturein the end wall 72 of-themember 71. An outlet pipe 89 vents theinterior of the casing so that all other pip-es 34 that are not in communication with vapertures 74 in wall are relieved. Each pipe 34 leads to" an individual valve 90 controlling a supply pipe 1 91, which leads to a plurality of sprinkler heads (not shown in these figures), Each valve provides a large diaphragm chamber 92, in which is fitted diaphragm93. The diaphragm carries below it a plunger 94 havinga leather cup 95. Said cup has'a fluid-tight rupning fit in a cylindrical part 96 of the va ve.

Spaced internally of the cylinder 9615 a standing tube 97, the interior of which is directly connected to a water main. The plunger carriesa valve disc 98 adapted to seat on the upper end of the standing tube to prevent water from flowing from the main to. thesupply pipe; A by-pass line 99 leads from the main through a throttle valve 100 to the diaphragm space so that normally,

the valve disc 98 is held on its seat 'by pressure from the main acting through the mcliaphragm. The die hragm chamber is arrangedtdbevented y an outwardly ope'n-.

- n ing hydraulically actuated valve generally indicated by the numeral 101 and embodying.- 1

a leather cup piston 102. Pipe 34? is connected to said hydraulically actuated valve so that when-pressureexists in pipe 34?, the

valve is operated to vent thediaphragm chamber. When the said chamber is vented, water entering from the by-pass 1 escapes through the valve'and a vent pipe 103 with: out setting up sufficient back pressure inthe diaphragm c the standing tube. 'As a consequencewater raises. the valve 7 disc and is free to lflow through the supply line, to the corresponding group. of sprinkler heads;

In the operationof the device just deamber to-hold the valve disc on scribed -the shaft is rotated slowly. When member 72 is not alignedwith ports 34,- all valves 90 are held by the hydraulic pressure exerted on they corresponding diaphragm.

Assaid member aligns with'a port 34, the corresponding hydraulically actuated valveis operated to relieve the pressure on the underlying diaphragm. ,Thus, as the member 71 rotates, successive valves 90 are opened,

maintained in that position for a period of time, and subsequently closed. p

The shaft and pinion of the above described embodiment may be drivenslowly by any suitable means, and one such-means is shown in Fig. 8. Said means' includes a pair of opposed open end cylinders 104, each having a piston 105. The pistons are connccted. to each other by a,rack 106 which ach cylinder is provided with a pressure line 107, fitted with a throttle valve 108. Said valve includes a meshes with the pinion.

seat 109, a ball 110 yieldably held thereon by a spring 111, and an adjustable screw 112 for-holding the ball from its seat. The de-. vice further includes a casing 113 havingxa pair of diametrically opposed outlet ports 114. Contiguous to. the wall 115 in which the ports are provided, there is a fluid di I recting disc 116. Said disc is carried by a shaft 117, turned by a .hand wheel 118. Said disc is provided with a groove119. -The wall 115. is provided with an outlet port and the groove in the disc is so arranged as tobring-one .of the ports 114 into-com- .munication with the outlet port. 'The interior of the casing is kept under pressure by a line 121 conveying water, which flows :through the unobstructed port and forces one piston outwardly. As' one piston travels. outward, the other is forced inwardly; the

movement of the rack rotating the-.distribu-f 1 tor. The valves are very slightly opened so that the flow-of water is throttled to aminimum, and thus one stroke of the device may be; extended over a period of time.

;.lVl1 en"the end of a stroke is reached, the 'entlre, device becomes inoperative until the hand yvheel is'turned to reverse the'travel of the rack and pistons. The pistonsmay be so adjusted relative to the d stributor, as to cause the distributor to stop in such position that all of ports 34 are closed.

In Fig. 10 I- have shown a shunt circuit 10, to brushes 6 and c that ride on the sur-.

face of a circuit breaker e and the latter being suitably mounted on shaft 21.

Brush 1) is constantly in contact with the metal surface of rotary member d, while brush 0 is arranged to ride onto an insulated segment e on said rotary member, and when this latter condition exists, the shunt circuit is broken.

. This arrangement insures positive operation of the system, takes care of any inaccuracies in the clock and. insures properly timed registration of aperture 42 with apertures 34.

-Even though the clock switch be open, the motor 10 will continue to be driven, thereby rotating shaft 21 and disc (Z until brush 0 passes onto the insulated segment 6.

While I have shown and described two specific embodiments of my invention, I do not limit myself to ,any specific embodiment or construction or arrangements of parts, and may employ any construction or arrangement of parts, without enlarging the scope of my invention, coming within the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus of the class described, a plurality of supply valves arranged to be opened by the pressure of the fluid which they control, individual hydraulic means for each valve capable of opposing such fluid pressure, to hold the corresponding valves in closed position, and means for periodically rendering each individual hydraulic means inoperative, said last means including a fluid-tight distributor casing embodying plate having a plurality of ports, one for each supply valve, a pipe leading from each port to the corresponding hydraulic means, another pipe connecting the interior of the casing with fluid supply under pressure, whereby the hydraulic means are subject to hydraulic pressure, the casing being provided 'with an outlet port, and means for bringing the first named ports successsively into communication with the outlet port, without diminishing the pressure in the casing below that required.

2. In a fluid distributor for the purpose described, a fluid-tight casing having a disc-like wall provided with a plurality of ports arranged in a circular series, and further, provided with an outlet ,port not in said series, a rotary member coaxially revoluble within the series and embodying means for covering one port only at .a time, said means having a fluid course always in communication with said outlet port, and further, having an aperture in communication with the said fluid course, said aperture so disposed as to align successively with the port in the said series, and a ipe supplying fluid under pressure to the interior of said casing.

In a fluidklistributor for the purpose described, a fluid-tight casing having a disc-like wall provided with a plurality of ports arranged in a circular series, and further, provided with an out-let port not in said series, a rotary member coaxially revoluble within the series and embodying means for covering one port only at a time, said means having ,a fluid course always in communication with said outlet port, and further having an aperture in communica tion with said fluid course, said aperture so disposed as to align successively with the port in the said series, and a pipe supplying fluid under pressure to the interior of said casing, a supply main from which said pipe leads, a plurality of supply valves correspondingin number to'the ports connected to said main, a supply pipe for each valve, and hydraulic pressure lines, one leading from each of the ports in the annular series to a corresponding supply valve.

4. In a sprinkling device, a main, a plurality of service pipes leading therefrom, a

control valve for each vservice pipe, a housing to which all of the service pipe control valves are connected, a connection from the main to said housing and a rotary member arranged for operation within said housing for successively relieving the pressure on the control valves through their connections to said housing and permitting the escape of said pressure'so that said control valves may open in succession and permit water from-the main, to flow in succession to the service pipes.

5. In a sprinkling device, a main, a plurality of service pipes leading therefrom, a control valve for each service pipe, a housing to which all of the service pipe control valves are connected, a connection from the main to said housing, a rotary member arranged for operation within said housing for successively relieving the pressure on the control valvesthrough their connections to said housing and permitting the escape of said pressure so that said control valves may open in succession and permit water from the main, to flow in succession to the service pipes and a motor for driving said rotary member. a

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EVERETT P. LANG. 

